Hatim Al-Ta'i?

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dzheremi

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Hello,

Can any of you here tell me something about Hatim Al-Ta’i, the man identified as a pre-Islamic Christian poet of Arabia whose name is to this day very popular with Arabs? I was browsing a Tunisian forum looking for an old Judeo-Tunisian song and someone there had a signature in Arabic that said “I am proud to be a member of the nation of Hatim Al-Tai, a symbol of Christian charity”. I looked the name up on Wikipedia and saw that he was known for his great generosity. He is apparently mentioned in some Islamic hadith (he himself never converted to Islam, but apparently his son did), and in some versions of “1001 Nights”.

But still I am surprised that the name coming from a Christian Arab from before Islam would be so popular among Muslims, as it apparently is today (according to the Wikipedia article).

(Sorry if this topic doesn’t belong here; this man wasn’t Catholic, but I figure Arabia is plenty eastern, and one of the reasons I am having trouble finding information on this guy is that it is primarily in Arabic, so maybe someone here who knows more Arabic than I do will have more information.)
 
Here is something from an Islamic site… I wonder what this man’s Christian name is, since he sounds very much like Saint Dumatheos…
Jordanian folktales, particularly those of the Bedu (Bedouin), often feature themes of honor, generosity, and hospitality, all considered important Arab attributes. One folk story revolves around the legendary Hatim al-Ta’i, whose name means “generosity.” Before Hatim’s birth, when his mother was newly married, she dreamt that she was offered a choice: she could either bear ten brave sons or she could have one son, Hatim, who would possess superior generosity. She chose to have Hatim, and indeed he proved to be highly generous.

When Hatim was sent to take the family’s camels to pasture, Hatim proudly returned to tell his dismayed father that he had given away every one of the camels, and that this no doubt would bring fame to the family name. This story typifies the importance that Jordanians place on generosity.
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Also here: arriyadh.com/Eng/Tourism/Left/KSAAttract/Hail/getdocument.aspx?f=/Eng/Tourism/Left/KSAAttract/Hail/Hatim-al-Tai.doc_cvt.htm

Ironic that many of Muhammad’s heroes were Syriac Christians, he borrowed many practices from them, including forms of prostration, prayers 5X per day (Syriac hours are divided to 7X per day), etc…
 
Wow. Thank you, SyroMalankara. It is interesting that apparently neither of the sources mention Hatim’s religious affiliation, only saying that he lived near the end of “the age of ignorance”. Hmm. Not surprising! But I guess it is good that it is known anyway, as the Tunisian I mentioned called him “a symbol of Christian charity”, not “a symbol of charity from near the end of the age of ignorance”! 😃

Thank you for the information.
 
Hello,

I am Jony.This is my first visit to site.I am new to this site,but I’ve enjoyed posting in your forums.The tribe is believed to have included a number of Christians before Islam, though most of the tribe’s members are reported to have been pagan.The most famous figure from Tayy in that period was the legendary Hatim Al-Ta’i said to be a Christian,and renowned among the Arabs for generosity and hospitality. He also figures in the Arabian Nights.The early Islamic historical sources report that his son, 'Adiyy ibn Hatim, whom they sometimes refer to as the “king” of Tayy,converted to Islam before Muhammad’s death. He is particularly revered by the Shi’a, who consider him a partisan of Ali.Another figure from Tayy during this period was Zayd al-Khayr, a prominent member of Tayy who is said to have led Tayy’s delegation to Muhammad accepting Islam.I wonder what this man’s Christian name is, since he sounds very much like Saint Dumatheos.Thank you very much and Stay connected with me.
 
jonydepp said:
Hello,

I am Jony.This is my first visit to site.I am new to this site,but I’ve enjoyed posting in your forums.The tribe is believed to have included a number of Christians before Islam, though most of the tribe’s members are reported to have been pagan.The most famous figure from Tayy in that period was the legendary Hatim Al-Ta’i said to be a Christian,and renowned among the Arabs for generosity and hospitality. He also figures in the Arabian Nights.The early Islamic historical sources report that his son, 'Adiyy ibn Hatim, whom they sometimes refer to as the “king” of Tayy,converted to Islam before Muhammad’s death. He is particularly revered by the Shi’a, who consider him a partisan of Ali.Another figure from Tayy during this period was Zayd al-Khayr, a prominent member of Tayy who is said to have led Tayy’s delegation to Muhammad accepting Islam.I wonder what this man’s Christian name is, since he sounds very much like Saint Dumatheos.Thank you very much and Stay connected with me.
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Is this a 'bot ?
 
I’m a Christian born in Iraq, and I read and heard about Hatim, but nothing about him being a Christian. If he were, then the Christians would’ve boasted about him, but like I said, I haven’t heard anything.
 
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